Automatic train-pipe connecter



Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

Unirse STATES PATENTv orificiz.

EDWARD A. ROBINSON, OF MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, ASSIGNOR T0 I-IIMSELF AND ELLISON EDWARD WORKMAN, OF MONTREAL, CANADA.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN-PIPE CONNECTER.

Application filed May 28, v1921.

My invention relates to means for auto matically connecting the pipe lines of one railway car to another when the latter are coupled together.

-leretofore it has been-extremely difficult with the type of connecters commonly em ployed to prevent leakage between the coupled connecters in transit, particularly when rounding sharp curves .or when travelling over an uneven roadbed, and although this i provide a construction and arrangement of parts which will enable each terminal or conduit to be directly connected to its train hose without employing a iinio-n or its equivalent. This construction reducesthe number 4of joints or connections between the terminal oriconduit and the fixed train pipe and consequently further assists in reducing possibility of leakage.

A further object lof the invention is to provide improved means for supporting the connecter head with its terminals from th-e car coupler to y assist iii dissipating the shocks to which apparatus of this type is constantly subjected when in service, and to permit a wide range of movement.

For full comprehension, however, of my invention reference must be had to the accompanying drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the same parts, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a 'train' pipe connecter constructed according to my invention and showing its application to 1a car coupler;

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof partly in horizontal section; y

. Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1 and looking in the dir-ection-nidicated by the arrows; and

Figure L is a vertical sectional view taken Serial No. 473,557.

on line 4 4: of Figure l and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Although my invention` as illustrated is embodied in a train pipe connecterhaving particular application to passenger cars in that such connecter is adapted to effect con f nection between three train pipe lines, it may also be embodied with equal resultant eflicency in train pipe connecters for freight cars and 'the like having a lesser number of pipe lines. The kembodiment illustrated may also be modified without losing the essence of the invention which lies in the constructionv and larrangement of the parts enabling the train pipe terminals or conduits carried by the head to maintain constant axial alignment with the conduits of a counterpart head when coupled thereto and the front faces of such heads to maintain their intimate relative parallel positioning as eiciently when rounding an abrupt curve aswhen travelling in a straight line, thereby practically eliminating leak-l age at these connections.

The construction of the drawings includes a head 2,v a bracket 3 secured at itsupper end to the car coupler, the plane of the pulling face of the cars being illustrated diagrammatically as at 5, and a carrier 6 supporting the head and in turn-being .supported bythe bracket. The buffer spring 7 bears between aplate 8 and the rear of the carrier the plate being detachably connected to the bracket by bolts 9.

The connecter head comprises two spaced parallel members `of plate form they front member being indicated at 2a and therear y member .at 2b. The former is provided with the usual horns l0 arranged on opposite sides thereof and staggered relatively to each other. and arranged to havef universal movement upon the rear member for the purpose of providing the pipe terminals with universal lateral freedom of motion-and thereby eliminating leakage between the coupledconn-ecters. i l i lThe means effecting the universal con- This member is constructed nection between the members of the head is located at each side thereof and directly in rear of the horn on that side. Each connection consists of a pair of horizontally aligned laterally projecting lugs 12l -one another in any direction, being connected by ball and socket joints to opposite ends of the linking bolts 14.

rlhe conduit-s or pipe terminals, of which in the embodiment illustrated there are three, are indicated at 2O and are of `sleeve form and extend through horizontally aligned openings 21 inthe head members, each being a dapted to have universal angular movement therein with respect to the head members. To this end the mouth of each openi ing in the Jfront member 2 is concaved as at 22 to constitute a socket for the front end of the conduit which is of increased diameter and of substantially ball form as indicated at 28. Each terminal rigidly carries an annular gasket 24 adapted to protrude therefrom. The conduit extends a short distance rearwardly beyond the rear member 2b and is threaded as at 25 to receive the train pipe fitting 26 and a lock nut` 27, the nut and enlarged front end ot the conduit limiting separation of the members of the head. rlhe openings 21 are flared at their inner ends to provide freedom of movement ot the conduits and'also to accommodate springs 28 which encircle the latter and bear between the front ends thereof and the rear member. These springs yieldingly maintain the conduits inposition perpendicular to the rear i member with the nuts 27 bearing against the rear face thereof when in uncoupled position and also assist in maintainingv the gaskets in tight contact with the gaskets of the counterpart head when coupled.

These conduits are independently rotatable within the head for the purpose of eliminating the necessity of employing unions or fittings of the lVestinghonse,

Gould and other similar types which function as unions in the connections to thepipe lines in rear of the head. Each conduit is adapted to be screwed into or onto one end 0f an elbow 26 the other end Of the elbow being provided withl a circumferential bead 66 and adapted to be clamped in the adjacent end of the hose as at 29, the elbow on the steam line being provided with. a condensationl outlet 30.

Any means maybe employed for rotating `the conduit without departing from the spirit'of my invention. In the embodiment illustrated each conduit atits front end directly in rear of its gasket is provided with a pair of diametrically oppositely disposed lugs 31 which may be straddled by a suitable wrench adapted to be inserted through the front end of the conduit.

The carrier 6, is preferably constructed in the form of a yoke to provide sufficient clearance for the flexible train pipes and it is supportedupon the lower end of the bracket in position straddling the same with its arms extending forwardly and rigidly fastened to opposite sides ot the rear member 2b of the head, the arms being: offset in opposite vertical directions tov locate their points ot connection to the head inline with the horns l0. In the construction illustrated the yoke is shown integral with the rear member 2b but this condition of integrality is not materia Vertical displacement of the carrier upon the bracket is prevented by lugsv 40 extending from opposite sides of the latter and projecting through slots or guideways 41 presenting open mouths 42 and constituted by terminating the rear ends of the yoke armsv in hooked form; The transverse wall 43 which unites such ends is located immediately in rear of the bracket. It bears thereagainst and serves as a seat for the front end of the butler spring 7 such seat being provided with a central rearward eXtension 44 to maintain the spring thereon. The bearing itor the opposite endofv the spring is effected by the bearing plate S fastened to the bracket by the bolts 9 positionedon opposite sides of the spring in the vertical aXial plane thereof and having hooked ends for detachable engagementV with the bracket their other ends being screw--threaded to receive nuts 51 which bear again-stv the plate 8 and enable the compression of the buffer spring to be varied. This'face of this plate in engagement` with the spring is provided with a threaded plug formed integrallyl therewith the plug being of a diameter and its thread being of apitch to lit the spring and prevent displacementl of the latter relatively to the plate.,

I-leretofore, in supporting the connecter' from a car coupler, it has been the practice to cast a lug upon the draw bar and bolt the connecter bracket to, this lug with the result that the bolts were apt to work loose and the bracket being manufactured as an independent part added considerably to the total cost. To overcomer these defects the bracket in the present invention is cast integrally with the draw-bar thereby eliminating any necessity for bolts and enabling it to be cast with the draw-bar with little addition to the cost of manutacturingthe latter.

This bracketA in the main is of' T crosssection while its lower portion which is straddled by the carrier is ofsolidl block construction as indicated' at 53. The hooked bolt ends vare accommodated by openings 54: and .55 respectively located inthe bracket liange extending from'the block to the upper end of the bracket and in a depending. lug 57 on the undersideot the block.

A connecter having embodied therein the essence of the present invention secures the.

pendently of the resilience offered by the springs about the terminals providing for head'movement'before the ybuffer spring is affected. t

(c) The terminals are given universal play permitting movement of the front portion of the head in addition to the movementv involving rocking of the yoke 'for which compression ot the butter spring provides.

(d) The springs between the parts of the head member maintain it in constant engagement'with the outer lianges upon the terminals.

(e) Along with universal angular `play for the terminals the head controls them so that they all .move in the same direction and to the same extent, though each is tree to act within a 'slight limit of play to adjust to its mating terminal.

IVhat I claim isasollows:

l. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a connecter head having a passage through thehead, a conduit locatedin the passage passing through the head for connection at the rear withA the. train pipe and having fits forward end adapted to engage by a butt jointwith a corresponding conduit in a. counterpart head and cooperative mountingbetween the conduit and the head whereby the conduit is'adapted to swingI bodily in variant directions to accommodate the front end ot the conduit to coact with the corresponding conduit ofthe vcounterpart head.

2. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head, a conduit extending therethrough f'tor engagement with a counterpart conduit atfth'e front and engagement with a train pipe connection at the rear and mounted in the head to swing in different directions, in combination fwith a carrierl for the head and a bracket and connections for support ing said carrier. i

3. Inl an automatic train pipe connecter, abi'acket, a head, connections between the head and bracket resilientlysupporting the head to provide for swingingl movement of the head in all directions and normal return to a predetermined initial position, in combination. with a conduit extending through Vthe head and having universal movement therein and a fitting secured to .the rear of the conduit ltor. connection with a train pipe. ,v a ,i v it. In; an automatic train pipe connecter a head comprising two* relatively movable parts and-a conduit mounted in said' parts and capable of universalmovement relative- `ly` thereto. l, 5. vIn an automatic tiaiii pipe connecter a head comprising two: relativelyrinovable parts and a conduitA mounted in said parts and capable of universal movement relatively thereto, and means iior yieldingly resisting relative movement between the said parts. i i

(i. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part connecter head, means effecting a universal` connection between the `parts whereby one may have universal movement upon the other, anda conduit mounted.A

within the head and capable .off universal movement therein. l e l In an automatic train pipe connecter,

a two-part head,;onepart being capable of v.

wide universal movement relatively to the other, means Ltor`4 yieldingly ,resisting l relative movement between the parts,and a conduit extending through said parts and sup-` ported thereby. i

8. Inan automatic train pipe connecter,

a two-part head, a plurality oficonduits' r mounted in said parts and springs'bearing between said parts and encircling said conduits, onefpart bein@ supported by and capable of universal movement relatively to the other part. i I

9. In an automatic :train jpipe connecter,` a two-part connecter head, a conduit eX-,

tending through said `parts vand su aported thereby, aspring encircling said conduit and bearing between said parts and means-upon. .opposite ends of the conduit for limiting separation of the said parts," said ,coiiduitl being capable of universal movement within the head.` A 1 t.

l0. In an automatic tram pipe connecter,

a two-part connecter head having a front.

face member adapted to engage the face of a mating head and a rear supporting meme.

ber, spring connection between the twol meinbers permitting movement of one with-respect to theA other in allfdirections and a A plurality of conduits mounted to haveuniversal movement in the front member and projecting through the rear member, r'springs about the conduits independently,pressing them torward and stops limiting the forward projection ofthe conduits.

11. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head, onel part havin'gaballsocket therein and being supported by `and capable of universalmovement relatively 1 to the other part and a conduit extending through said parts and supported thereby, 4 one end of said conduit beingrof substan' tially ball-form,` and` seated. in said .ballsocket andthe'opposite end' having. freedom of movement in the other part.

12. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head,` one part having a ballsockettherein and being supported by and capable of universal movement relatively to the other part, a conduit extending through said.' parts and supported thereby, one end of said conduit being of substantially ball-formz and seated in said ballsocket andthe opposite end having freedom ofv movement in the other part and means resiliently maintaining the conduit and parts in their normal relative positions.

13; In an automatic train pipe connecter,

a two-part head', one part having a ball-v the, head.

14. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head-` comprising 'front and: rear parts interconnected and capable of universal movement relatively to each other and having-` axially aligned" openings, the opening on the front part* presenting a ball-socket, aV

conduit extendingthrough the openings in the parts and supported by the latter, the front end ofsaid conduit being of substantially ball-form andl seatedr in said ballsocket andthe rear end extending rearwardly of the rear partvv and screw-threaded, a nut screwed'upon said end', and means resiliently maintaining the conduit and parts in their normal relative positions.

15. In an; automatic train pipe connecter, a head comprising front and rear parts interconnected and capable of universal movement relatively to.` each other and having axially aligned openings,fthe opening in the front part presenting a ball-socket, a conduit extending through the openings inthe parts and supported by the latter, the'front end oft said conduit being of substantially ball-form and seated in said ball-socket and the rear end extendingV rearwardly of the rear part and screw-threaded, a nut screwed onfsaid. end, and al spring encircling the conduit and bearing between the front endthereo-f and the said rear part.

1 6. In an automatic train pi e connecter, a head comprising front a n rear parts,

means effecting a connection between thev pal-ts permitting relative' universal movement,v means yieldingly resisting relative movement between the parts, the opening inl the front part, presenting a ball-socket, a ,conduity extending throughf the openingsl in the parts and supported by the latter, the front end of said conduit beingef substantially ball-form and Seatedv insaid ball'- socket and the. rear end.'- extendingrearwardal ly of thev rear part and screw-threaded, a

nut screwedv upon said end, and` means. resiliently maintaining the conduitand parts in their normal relative positions.

17'. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head, one part bemg capable ofV universal movement relatively to the other, a conduit extending through said parts and supported thereby, and means for supporting' and adjusting one part relatively to the other.

18. In an automatic trainY pipe connecter, a two-part head, one-part being capable of universal movement relatively to the other, a conduit lextending throughsaid parts and supported thereby, means for supporting and adjusting one part relatively to. the other and means for adjusting the conduit relatively to the parts.

10.. In an automatictrain,vl piper connecter, a head consisting of spaced front and rear parts, a conduit separate therefrom and extending through said parts and supported thereby and meansl effecting a universal connection between the parts, said means consisting of devices extending between the parts and disposed parallel to the conduit on opposite sides of the vertical axial plane` thereof andv ball-and-socket connections be,- tween the ends-of the devices and the parts.

20. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head consisting of front and rear parts, a conduit extending through said parts and supported thereby and means effecting a universal connection between the parts,said means consistingA of laterally projecting lugs upon said parts, the lugs" onf one part being in horizontal alignment with those on the other part and all havingVV ball-sockets, bolts extending` through said sockets and having heads ofl ball-form seated in the sockets of' one part and nutsr o f substantially ball-form seated" in the sockets on` the other part, and springs encircling the bolts and bearing between the lugs.

21. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head consistingl of; spaced front and rear parts, a, conduit extending through said parts and supported thereby, the front end of the conduit being ofV substantially ball-form and seated in`V a socketV in the front part, means upon the rearV end of the conduit for preventing complete displacement thereof fromthe parts, and spring encirclingsaid conduit and bearing between the frontv end thereof and the rear Apart, and mea-ns effecting a universal connection between the arts, said means consisting of bolts exten ing between the parts and 'disposed parallel to the conduit on opposite sides of the vertical axialA plane thereof and ball-and-socket connections ends of the boltsandthe parts.

f end of the conduit being of substantially ball-form and seated in a socket in the front Vpart and thev oppositeend extending rearwardly 'of the rear part and having` a nut screwed thereon, a spring encircling said conduit andbearing'between the front end thereof and the rear part, and means located on opposite sides of the vertical axial plane of the conduit and elfect-ing a universal connection between the parts, said means consisting of laterally projecting lugs upon said parts, the lugs on one part being in horizontal alignment with those on the other part and all having ballI sockets, bolts extending through said lugs and having heads of substantially ball-form seated in the lugs of one part and having nuts of substantially ball-form screwed upon their opposite ends and seated in the lugs on the other part, and springs encircling the bolts and bearing between the lugs.

23. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head consisting of front and rear parts, said front part having horns on opposite sides thereof and in staggered rela- -tion with each other, a conduit separate from the parts extending through said parts and a universal connection between the parts at each side thereof and in line with the horn on that side.

24. In an automatic train pipe connecter operating in conjunction with a car coupler, a bracket adapted to be secured to the car coupler, a head consisting of front and rear parts, one being capable of universal movement relatively to the other, a conduit extending through said parts, a carrier rigidly connected to said rear part and supported upon said bracket and capable of movement relatively thereto, a buffer spring having one end in bearing relation with said carrier and adapted to vieldingly resist said relative movement of the carrier, and means in bearing relation with the opposite end of the spring and connected to the bracket.

25. In an automat-ic train pipe connecter of the type operating in conjunction with a car coupler, a bracket adapted to be secured to the coupler at its upper end and having laterally projecting guides on opposite sides of its lower ends, a head consisting of front and rear parts, one part being capable of universal movement relatively to the other, a conduit extending through said parts and capable of universal movement therein, a carrier connected to said rear part and straddling the lower end of the between the bracket, saidcarrier having guideways :re-

ceiving said guide, a buffer spring located in rear of the bracket and .having its front end. bearing against the carrier, meansbearing against the rear end ofthe spring and secured :to the bracket, said meansconsisting of a bearing plate and tie bolts connected thereto at their rear end and having their forward ends hooked for 'engagement with the bracket.

26. In an automatic train rpipe connecter of the type operating in conjunction `with -a car coupler and in a plane parallel tothe horizontal plane of a car coupler, a bracket adapted to be secured to the coupler at `lits upper end and having laterally projecting. guides on opposite sides of its lowerfend, a headfconsisting of front and rear parts "of substantially plate form, means located at opposite sides of the head for universally connecting the parts thereof together, a conduit extending through said parts and capable of universal movement therein with respect to the parts, a carrier consisting of a yoke straddling the lower end of the bracket in the rear thereof and having its arms rigidly connected to the rear part of the head on opposite sides thereof and adjacent the means universally connecting the parts of the head together, said carrier having guideways receiving said guides, a buffer spring located in rear of the bracket and having its front end bearing against the carrier, means bearing against the rear end of the spring and secured to the bracket, said means consisting.of a bearing plate and tie bolts connected thereto at their rear ends and having their forward ends hooked for engagement with the bracket.

27. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head, resilient support for one part from the other providing for movement of one in lateral directions with respectto the other, conduits passing through both parts of the head and resiliently supported independently of the connection between the two parts of the head, a bracket and resilient connections mounting one part of the head to provide universal movement between it and the bracket.

28. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part connecter head, resilient support for one part of the head in front of the other, conduits extending through the heads and having universal movement with respect to the forward part of the head, a yoke supporting the rear part of the head, a bracket and resilient connections between the bracket and yoke.

29. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head, one part being capable of universal movement relatively to the other part, and a conduit rotatably mounted within said head and having its rear end protruding therefrom for connection with a train pipe fitting said conduit having means enabling it to be rotated for the purpose of securing` it to the fitting.

30. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a two-part head, one part being capable of universal movement rrelatively to the other part, and a conduit rotatably mounted within said head and having` its rear end protruding` therefrom for connection with a train pipe fitting said conduit having means enabling it to be rotated for the purpose of securing` it to the fitting, said last-mentioned means consistingof inward projections upon the inner faceof the conduit adjacent its front end.

31. In an automatic train pipe connecter,

a member carrying forwardly projectingf horns on opposite sides thereof and a second member supporting said first member, and permitting universal movement of the firstmentioned member said second member having a plate-like portion and a rearwardly projectingr portion of yoke form the platelike portion having the first member connected to it. l,

32. In an automatic train pipe connecter; a supporting member having forwardly pro-4 jecting horns on opposite sides thereof, a carrier, means effecting a universal connection between the member and carrier, and a conduit extending' through said member and separate from the member and carrier.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

EDVARD A. ROBINSON. 

